14 DAY TRIAL // Would Brazilian domination of South America mean that everyone would speak the nation’s version of Portuguese? Hearts of Iron IV doesn’t give players tools to influence language use but in my campaign the Empire of Brazil is steadily marching across jungles and mountain ranges, dealing with rivals ranging from Argentina to Columbia.
Once the entire continent is ours, it will be time to make some tough decisions. Portugal is a puppet, and we might try to expand in the Spanish Peninsula. We can target African states via focus. But the Empire can also gamble and join the Axis, trying to take down the United States of America.
That would require many more ships and airplanes, as well as some great work from our intelligence agency. The Northern behemoth might be focusing on Germany, but it will react angrily to any challenge to their hegemony. Maybe I should have gone fascist to get more assistance from Germany.
Hearts of Iron IV: Trial of Allegiance is developed by Paradox Development Studio and published by Paradox Interactive. This is a country pack, which means that players will get a range of new focus trees for nations in South America but no major new gameplay idea.
The most varied of the bunch is Brazil’s. The country took part in direct combat toward the end of World War II but in the alternate reality of this grand strategy title, it can do much more. There’s an option to become a democratic beacon and to provide troops for the Allies much earlier. Players can also revive the monarchy, work with the Axis, or choose to target a socialist revolution.
Brazil can become a capable medium power, but its road is challenging. It starts with just two research slots and has a limited industrial base. Trial of Allegiance has limited infrastructure in the Amazon and made some areas impassable, to show how hard it would be to fight World War II in the deep jungle. Air regions are also remade.
Argentina and Chile are also fun to play as, with an equal diversity of paths and leaders. However, they struggle more because of dysfunctional starting political situations and low development. Still, it’s fun trying to use spies as Chile to turn the entire hemisphere Communist or make Argentina the fascist leader of the South.
Uruguay and Paraguay get their own smaller set of focuses and there are surprise ones (at least one spoiled by the achievement list). All DLC nations use the same trees for their army, air force, and navy development.
Hearts of Iron IV is a complex grand strategy experience. Gamers control their chosen nation’s political decisions, research efforts, economic development, weapons production, and war planning on the ground, in the air, and on water. It’s a lot to take charge and, as World War II grows in intensity, it will pose different challenges depending on the chosen nation and historical path.
Hearts of Iron IV: Trial of Allegiance adds new army models, alongside plenty of portraits and icons, but doesn’t otherwise tweak the title’s presentation. The game’s map modes and interface take a little time for newcomers to fully accommodate to, but it manages to give players a lot of info efficiently. The DLC introduces six new songs, with the featured nations each getting two.
Conclusion
I really want Paradox to give nations that featured more in World War II the same number of advisors (including some truly unique ones). And I really hope that the next DLC is focused on major countries and adds an interesting new mechanic. Trial of Allegiance makes an entire continent more interesting in Hearts of Iron IV, which is a net positive for the grand strategy title.
Review key provided by the publisher.
